Crystal City may increase sales tax to pay for police, fire departments

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo (KMOV.com) – Crystal City officials are asking residents to consider instituting a half-cent sales tax in order to pay for police and fire departments.

The proposal, which will be on the April ballot, would generate about $400,000 which would be dedicated to the city’s fire and police departments’ expenses. If the tax goes into effect, city leaders say one of the first things they want to do is replace an aging fire truck.

“Our current revenues have been pretty flat during the last five years and there isn’t enough money to raise up the salaries or start putting money away toward a fire truck,” said City Administrator Jason Eisenbeis.

City officials also say they are losing good police officer to neighboring communities that offer better pay.